The resynchronization of Unit 1 of the Cernavodă NPP to the National Energy System (SEN) is estimated for Friday, November 6, after, following the meeting of the minimum necessary conditions, specific actions for starting the reactor were initiated on Wednesday, SN Nuclearelectrica announced.
“Following the meeting of the minimum necessary conditions, today, November 4, 2026, specific actions for starting Unit 1 of the Cernavodă NPP were initiated. The resynchronization of Unit 1 to the National Energy System (SEN) is estimated for Friday, November 6, 2026. Starting a nuclear unit is a complex, strictly procedural operation and is carried out in strict compliance with nuclear safety requirements,” a Nuclearelectrica press release states.
Throughout the shutdown, the plant’s specialists carried out specific activities to maintain the units in safe conditions.
“This context determines us to continue the measures already started, in order to be able to respond appropriately, if such circumstances are repeated. Together with the competent authorities and partners, we are working on concrete solutions in the short, medium and long term, which will increase the availability of the facilities in the event of a recurrence of a similar event and reduce its effects. This is Nuclearelectrica’s commitment for the coming period”, stated Mihai Gioară, CEO of SNN.
The operation of Unit 1 involves the use of large volumes of water to cool the reactor, which will lead to a decrease in the level in the suction basin. Therefore, the start-up of Unit 2 depends on a sustained increase in the Danube level. Once these conditions are met, Unit 2 can be restarted and subsequently synchronized to the SEN, explained Nuclearelectrica.
Unit 1 of the Cernavodă NPP was shut down in a controlled manner and disconnected from the National Energy System on July 28, due to the low flow of the Danube. Later, in mid-August, Unit 2 was also disconnected.
Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant operates Units 1 and 2, which each have a capacity of 700 MWe and use natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as moderator and coolant. With the two units in operation, SNN covers approximately 20% of the total production with dispatchable units in Romania.